Russia is an unusual state that unites the most diverse cultures, nations and religions into a single whole. That is why each of its regions and cities is unique and unrepeatable in its own way. One of these cities is Kazan - a kind of mix of the hot Caucasus and restrained good-natured Central Russia. Islamic and Christian cultures are organically intertwined in this city. And first of all, Kazan will be interesting for tourists with its numerous mosques.
Mosque as an architectural object
Mosques, in their essence, are unique architectural objects, true masterpieces of oriental architecture. Their voluminous domes, sharp and soaring minarets, richness of architectural decoration cannot leave indifferent any person on earth.
This is a special place for prayer for Muslims - adherents of the Islamic faith. The roots of the word mosque are hidden in the old Arabic language, in which it sounded like "masjid". Literally, it translates as "a place to worship." That is, in other words, a mosque is a place where every Muslim can bow to his god during prayer.
Being in the mosque, one shouldknow about the basic rules of conduct in this sacred place for Muslims. In particular, here in no case should you:
- kissing or holding hands;
- touch the holy book of the Quran or any architectural details of interior decoration;
- make noise;
- enter in dirty or untidy clothes;
- enter the mosque in shoes;
- enter in shorts or an over-the-knee skirt.
It is also worth noting that many mosques are only open to Muslims.
Mosques of Kazan
Kazan is the oldest city in the Russian Federation, an important river port on the Volga. This major economic and cultural center is rightly called the third capital of Russia. And Kazan is often called the capital of all Tatars on earth. Therefore, the Tatar mosque on the streets of this Russian city is not uncommon, there are two dozen of them here!
We bring to your attention the most interesting mosques in Kazan, photos of which are also presented in this article. Most of them are considered historical, as they were built before 1917. But the largest mosque in the city - Kul Sharif - was built in our time.
The main mosque of Kazan
This mosque is the main one in Kazan and throughout the Republic of Tatarstan. It is located in the western part of the so-called Kazan Kremlin and is one of the largest mosques in Europe due to its size.
The Kul Sharif Mosque was built on the site of an old mosque that was once destroyed by the troops of Ivan the Terrible. Construction lasted almost ten years: from 1996 to 2005. The estimated cost of this grandiose project is estimated at 500 million rubles. The main part of this impressive amount was donations, in which about 40 thousand citizens and various organizations took part. The grand opening of the mosque took place on June 24, 2005, just on the day of the celebration of the millennial anniversary of Kazan.
Interestingly, inside the building there is a book with the names of all those people who participated in the construction. The Kul Sharif Mosque looks especially impressive at night, thanks to a system of chic architectural lighting.
The oldest mosque in Kazan
Besides Kul Sharif, there are other mosques in Kazan worthy of attention and interest.
The oldest mosque in the city is the Marjani Mosque, built in 1770. For more than two centuries it has been the center of Tatar culture and spirituality. The mosque was built in a medieval architectural style, while the building has baroque elements. The two-story building is adorned with a beautiful three-tiered minaret.
The most unusual mosque in Kazan
Kazan's mosques are amazing and extraordinary. The Zakaban Mosque, which was built in 1926, can be considered the most unusual mosque in the city. First of all, it is unique for its architecture, which intertwines Muslim motifs, features of romanticism and modernity.
Another interesting fact concerns the history of the construction of this building. The fact is that permission to build thisthe mosque in Kazan was given by Joseph Stalin himself, and he did it personally. Today, the building is a wonderful decoration of the architectural appearance of the city of Kazan.
The most elegant mosque in Kazan
This historic mosque is called Azimovskaya and impresses with its beauty and elegance. Its architecture skillfully combines two styles - eclecticism and romanticism.
Construction began in 1887 and lasted three years. The mosque is named after the merchant M. Azimov, who allocated funds for its construction.
Azimov Mosque is represented by a one-story building with one high minaret 51 meters high. Elements of Eastern Muslim architecture were actively used in the decor of the building.
The most "Russian" mosque in Kazan
But the Burnaevskaya mosque can be safely called the most "Russian" mosque in Kazan. After all, at first glance you can’t determine that it is an Orthodox church or a Tatar mosque? Very organically and skillfully, the architects combined elements of traditional Russian and Muslim Tatar architecture here.
It was built in 1872 at the expense of the merchant M. Burnaev (and in this case the mosque was named after its main patron). The structure is a one-story brick building with a three-tiered minaret above the main entrance.
Burnaevskaya mosque in the city is also called "foreign", as most of its parishioners are foreign citizens.
Kazan is indeed a city of mosques. At the same time, mosqueshere are the most diverse - small and impressive in their size, ancient and modern, brick and wooden, traditional and unusual in their architecture. Therefore, if you are attracted to such architecture, go to the "third capital of Russia". The amazing mosques of Kazan will certainly not leave you indifferent!
